Abstract: An aircraft wing has a main wing element with a spar and a leading edge rib supported by the spar, a high lift device movably mounted to the main wing element, and an actuation mechanism with a drive shaft and a gear train. The gear train has a drive cog carried by the drive shaft, an actuator cog coupled to the high lift device, and one or more intermediate cogs mounted to the rib and coupled in series with the drive cog and the actuator cog so as to transmit torque from the drive cog to the actuator cog which moves the high lift device between a retracted position and an extended position in which the high lift device increases the camber of the wing. Sizes of the cogs in the gear train are selected so that the drive shaft rotates at a higher rate than the high lift device.

Abstract: An aircraft wing cover (10) comprising an integrally stiffened sandwich panel including first and second skins (11, 12) sandwiching a core layer (13), wherein at least one of the skins has a plurality of spanwise extending integral regions of increased thickness (18) accommodated by corresponding regions (19) of decreased thickness in the core. Also, a method of fabricating an aircraft wing cover, and a method of designing an aircraft wing.

Abstract: The invention provides a leading edge structure for providing an aerodynamic surface of an aircraft, the leading edge structure comprising a skin structure, the skin structure providing an outer aerodynamic surface and an inner surface, both surfaces extending in a chordwise and spanwise direction of the structure, and a plurality of structural members, each structural member being connected to the inner surface of the skin structure and extending in the chordwise direction along the inner surface, wherein the structural members are integrally formed with the inner surface of the skin structure. The invention also provides an aircraft wing, aircraft tailplane, wing box structure, wing or wing structure and an aircraft including the leading edge structure.

Abstract: An aircraft wing comprising a main wing element with a spar and a leading edge rib which is supported by the spar and extends forward of the spar; a high lift device which is movably mounted to the main wing element; and an actuation mechanism comprising a drive shaft and a gear train. The gear train comprising a drive cog which is carried by the drive shaft, an actuator cog which is coupled to the high lift device, and one or more intermediate cogs which are mounted to the rib and coupled in series with the drive cog and the actuator cog so as to transmit torque from the drive cog to the actuator cog which moves the high lift device between a retracted position and an extended position in which the high lift device increases the camber of the wing. The sizes of the cogs in the gear train are selected so that the drive shaft rotates at a higher rate than the high lift device.

Abstract: An aerofoil structure (1) comprising at least two spars (2, 4) spaced apart in a fore and aft direction so as to define a fuel carrying volume between the spars, and at least one longitudinal corrugated reinforcing member (6, 7) disposed between the spars, each reinforcing member being corrugated in the longitudinal direction to form a series of forward ridges (9) on a forward side of the reinforcing member and a series of aft ridges (8) on an aft side of the reinforcing member, wherein each reinforcing member is directly attached by its forward ridges to one of the spars or to the aft ridges of an adjacent one of the reinforcing members, and wherein each reinforcing member is directly attached by its aft ridges to one of the spars or to the forward ridges of an adjacent one of the reinforcing members. Also, a method of manufacturing an aerofoil structure.

Abstract: Apparatus for Minimal Invasive Surgery (MIS) comprising a master device, a slave device, a detector for detecting a parameter of or associated with the slave device, and a shape locking system for locking the shape of the master device in response to a parameter detected by the detector.

Abstract: An aircraft wing cover (10) comprising an integrally stiffened sandwich panel including first and second skins (11, 12) sandwiching a core layer (13), wherein at least one of the skins has a plurality of spanwise extending integral regions of increased thickness (18) accommodated by corresponding regions (19) of decreased thickness in the core. Also, a method of fabricating an aircraft wing cover, and a method of designing an aircraft wing.

Abstract: A fitting for joining a first component to a second component, the fitting comprising a composite part and a reinforcement element. The composite part is formed from a composite material and comprises: a base; an end wall meeting the base at a first corner; and a side wall meeting the end wall at a second corner and the base at a third corner. The reinforcement element is shaped such that it can be fitted to the composite part and engage the end wall of the composite part, the first corner of the composite part; and the second corner of the composite part.

Abstract: An aerofoil structure (1) comprising at least two spars (2, 4) spaced apart in a fore and aft direction so as to define a fuel carrying volume between the spars, and at least one longitudinal corrugated reinforcing member (6, 7) disposed between the spars, each reinforcing member being corrugated in the longitudinal direction to form a series of forward ridges (9) on a forward side of the reinforcing member and a series of aft ridges (8) on an aft side of the reinforcing member, wherein each reinforcing member is directly attached by its forward ridges to one of the spars or to the aft ridges of an adjacent one of the reinforcing members, and wherein each reinforcing member is directly attached by its aft ridges to one of the spars or to the forward ridges of an adjacent one of the reinforcing members. Also, a method of manufacturing an aerofoil structure.

Abstract: A fitting for joining a first component to a second component, the fitting comprising a composite part and a reinforcement element. The composite part is formed from a composite material and comprises: a base; an end wall meeting the base at a first corner; and a side wall meeting the end wall at a second corner and the base at a third corner. The reinforcement element is shaped such that it can be fitted to the composite part and engage the end wall of the composite part, the first corner of the composite part; and the second corner of the composite part.

Abstract: A tool for automating management of software development and deployment processes. The tool is made up of a series of lists or databases tracking various information related to the software releases and individual software components making up the releases. The tool includes a user interface for receiving build requests from users. When a build request is received from a user, the tool checks a user list to verify that the user's role allows the request, and the tool executes the build script associated with the component, and updates a status associated with the build request. Builds are automatically sent to target nodes in pre-determined environments for testing or for operational deployment. The tool stores the code in the correct directory locations and install the code for use. The tool further allows tester to grade software and provide feedback and test results to the developers and configuration managers for further development.

Abstract: Configuration of hardware and software onboard a mobile platform may be dynamically managed without significantly impacting a data stream from the mobile platform. Configuration data for equipment and resident software aboard a mobile platform is electronically reported in the form of a part number and a serial number. The configuration data is transferred to a terrestrial database via a mobile communications network. The configuration data is displayed to stakeholders, such as the network-provider enterprise and its customers. Invalid configurations may cause alerts.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer-accessible medium are provided for optimizing search result listings in a search engine user interface. The system and method provide an automated way of promoting and demoting the placement of a search result listing between more or less desirable locations, based on the listing's performance in a given placement. Promoting and demoting placements is based on a threshold performance for the listing against which the actual performance of a listing is measured. The threshold performance may be advantageously varied to accommodate different revenue and relevance goals for a particular search engine or portion of the search engine's market.

Abstract: A tool for automating management of software development and deployment processes. The tool is made up of a series of lists or databases tracking various information related to the software releases and individual software components making up the releases. The tool includes a user interface for receiving build requests from users. When a build request is received from a user, the tool checks a user list to verify that the user's role allows the request, and the tool executes the build script associated with the component, and updates a status associated with the build request. Builds are automatically sent to target nodes in pre-determined environments for testing or for operational deployment. The tool stores the code in the correct directory locations and install the code for use. The tool further allows tester to grade software and provide feedback and test results to the developers and configuration managers for further development.

Abstract: A system for analyzing and managing a plurality of specified life insurance policies and annuity contracts on behalf of an insurance carrier. The life insurance policies or annuity contracts depend on stock market performance in that the account value increase is determined as a percentage of the performance of a stock market index, with set caps and floors. The percentage is adjusted according to the yield on fixed rate assets. The system manages the increased risk from participation in the stock market by periodically monitoring assets and liabilities and determining the purchase and sale of stock options and other hedging instruments to cover the risks. The system also provides cash and profit determinations from the life insurance policies and annuity contracts.

Abstract: A system for analyzing and managing a plurality of specified life insurance policies and annuity contracts on behalf of an insurance carrier. The life insurance policies or annuity contracts depend on stock market performance in that the account value increase is determined as a percentage of the performance of a stock market index, with set caps and floors. The percentage is adjusted according to the yield on fixed rate assets. The system manages the increased risk from participation in the stock market by periodically monitoring assets and liabilities and determining the purchase and sale of stock options and other hedging instruments to cover the risks. The system also provides cash and profit determinations from the life insurance policies and annuity contracts.

Abstract: A new and distinct Helianthus plant cultivar is disclosed, characterized by a compact growth habit, bright yellow ray florets, a dark, purple-brown center and a short node length.